Temporal video segmentation using global motion estimation and discrete curve evolution

The identification of syntactic or semantic temporal segments is an important process of video-content analysis. The paper proposes a temporal video segmentation method based on global motion in order to analyze meaningful temporal substructures of camera shots. To ensure that the detected segment optimally contributes to the shot global characteristic, the proposed method exploits a state-of-the-art discrete curve evolution. This technique leads to a subdivision of the global motion trajectory, where each segment of the subdivision has a constant relevant global motion. Experimental results based on standard test sequences acknowledge the method functionality, especially for shots characterized by pronounced camera motion.